JP2914069B2 - Image processing support device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing support apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus which operates in accordance with a predetermined image processing program and performs various processing on an image displayed on a monitor apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus for assisting an operator in learning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in the field of image processing such as printing and plate making, image processing apparatuses using small computers such as personal computers and workstations have begun to spread rapidly. Such an image processing apparatus operates according to a predetermined image processing application program, and performs various processings (filters, synthesis, and so on) on an image displayed on a monitor device in response to an operator operating a mouse or a keyboard. (Deformation, color correction, editing, etc.).

[0003]

By the way, since recent image processing application programs have various functions, their manuals often exceed hundreds of pages. Therefore, conventionally, it has been a current situation that it takes a long time (for example, several months) for the operator to learn the contents of each function of the image processing application program and the operation method thereof. Some recent application programs for image processing have a so-called help function. However, the conventional help function merely displays a simple explanation of each function mainly in a text message, and it is difficult for an operator. It was not always kind.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing support apparatus that enables an operator of an image processing apparatus to easily and quickly learn the contents of each function provided in an image processing application program and an operation method thereof. To provide.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
An image processing apparatus that operates in accordance with a predetermined image processing program and performs various types of processing on an image displayed on a monitor device. Learning data storage means for storing learning data for tracing an operation procedure of an operator for realizing each processing and a state where an image changes on a monitor device for each of a plurality of types of representative samples; Sample learning means for selecting an arbitrary representative sample from the sample data, and learning data corresponding to the representative sample selected by the sample selecting means are read out from the learning data storage means. Is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reproduction means is configured to interrupt the reproduction operation at predetermined intervals, and reproduce the reproduction operation in response to an operation of an operator. The apparatus further comprises a progress state control means for controlling the progress state of the reproduction operation at each predetermined section of the means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising learning data creating means for creating learning data in advance and storing the learning data in the learning data storage means.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the learning data corresponding to the selected representative sample is read out from the learning data storage means, and the operation procedure of the operator and the state in which the image changes on the monitor device are reproduced. Thus, learning of the operator is supported. As described above, since the actual processing procedure for obtaining the selected representative sample is reproduced from the beginning to the end on the monitor device, the operator can know the processing procedure specifically. Therefore, the operator can quickly learn the contents of various functions provided in the image processing program and the operation method thereof.

In the invention according to the second aspect, the progress state control means controls the progress state of the reproduction operation at predetermined intervals of the reproduction means in response to the operation of the operator, so that the operator can further learn. An easy-to-use image processing support device is realized. For example, a part that the user wants to know in detail can be reproduced repeatedly, and a part that is not so can be reproduced by fast-forwarding.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes learning data generating means for generating learning data in advance and storing the learning data in the learning data storage means. Processing can be performed. Therefore, the price of the system is lower than when the learning data is created by another device.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing and plate making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention having an image processing support function. In FIG. 1, a system bus 1 includes a CPU 2 and a RAM 3 constituting a computer main body, a keyboard 4 and a mouse 5 as data input devices operated by an operator, an optical disk 6 and a magnetic disk 7 as external storage devices, A frame buffer 8 as an image memory is connected. The digital image data stored in the frame buffer 8 is converted into an analog image signal by the D / A converter 9 and then converted to a monitor 10 such as a CRT.
And is displayed there.

An image scanner 12 and a printer / image setter 12 are connected to the system bus 1 via an input / output interface 11. The image scanner 12 is a device for reading an image recorded on the original by scanning the original set thereon. The printer / image setter 12 has a CP
This is a device for printing out image data provided from U2 as a hard copy and printing it out on a printing film.

Further, a communication interface 14 is connected to the system bus 1. Communication interface 14
Includes a modem and the like, and performs data communication between the printing and plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and another printing and plate making apparatus (not shown) or a database. Thus, the printing and plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can operate in a network environment with another printing and plate making apparatus or database. However, when it is not necessary to operate the printing / plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a network environment, it is not necessary to provide the communication interface 14.

In the above configuration, the magnetic disk 7 stores a predetermined printing / plate making application program. When the print / plate making application program is started, the CPU 2 executes various print / plate making processes in response to an operation of the keyboard 4 or the mouse 5 by the operator. For example, CP
U2 is an image data input by various methods (for example,
The monitor device 10 displays the image data read by the image scanner 12, the image data transmitted from another device by the communication interface 14, and the image data read from the optical disk 6. Also, C
The PU 2 performs a corresponding process according to the menu selected by the keyboard 4 or the mouse 5 on the monitor device 1.
0 is applied to the image displayed. Furthermore, CPU2
Causes the printer / image setter 13 to output the processed image.

The magnetic disk 7 stores a teacher program and a student program. The teacher program is a program for creating learning data described later. This teacher program is
It is used by a teacher operator who is familiar with the contents of various functions provided in the plate making application program and how to operate them. The learning data created by the teacher program is stored on the magnetic disk 7. The student program is a program for reproducing, on the monitor device 10, the procedure of the operation performed by the teacher operator and the change state of the image based on the learning data stored in the magnetic disk 7. This student program is used by a student operator who needs to learn various functions of the printing / plate making application program and its operation method.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of operations executed by the printing / plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the teacher program. Hereinafter, the operation when the teacher program is executed will be described with reference to FIG. First, the teacher operator performs an operation for starting the teacher program. In response to this start-up operation, the CP
U2 reads the teacher program from the magnetic disk 7 and loads it into the RAM 3 in step S1.

Next, in step S2, the CPU 2
Causes the monitor device 10 to display a main menu screen as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The main menu screen is a work area 1 displayed in a so-called window mode.
01 and the menu area 102. Work area 1
01 is an area for displaying an image to be processed. In the menu area 102, various main menus such as "file", "retouch", "image processing", and "filter" are displayed.

When one of the main menus in the menu area 102 is selected by operating the keyboard 4 or the mouse 5, as shown in FIG. 4, the main menu can be executed under the selected main menu. Various sub-menus are displayed in a pull-down display. The teacher operator appropriately selects the submenu displayed in the pull-down menu, sets various parameters as necessary, and causes the printing / plate making apparatus to execute the corresponding operation. The contents of each submenu shown in FIG. 4 will be briefly described below for reference.

First, the contents of each submenu in the main file "File" in FIG. 4A will be described. The submenu “New” allows you to create a new file name,
This is a menu for generating image data from the beginning.
The submenu “Open” opens an existing file and displays the image stored in the file in the work area 1.
This is a menu to be displayed in 01. The submenu “save” is a menu for saving newly generated image data or processed image data to a file in an external storage device (optical disk 6, magnetic disk 7, etc.). The submenu “delete” is a menu for deleting a file in the external storage device. The submenu “close” is a menu for closing a file in the external storage device and ending the processing.

Next, the contents of each submenu in the main menu "retouch" in FIG. 4B will be described. The submenu “delete” is a menu for deleting a part of an image. The sub-menu “airbrush” is a menu for drawing a mist-like image like spray paint. The submenu “water-based paint” is a menu for drawing a transparent image. The sub-menu “brush” is a menu for drawing an image like a brush stroke. The submenu “pen” is a menu for drawing a thin line, and is used, for example, when drawing a character.

Next, the contents of each submenu in the main menu "image processing" of FIG. 4C will be described. The submenu “rotation” is a menu for changing the inclination of the image. The submenu “enlarge / reduce” is a menu for changing the size of an image. The submenu “color conversion” is a menu for replacing a part of the color of the image with another color. The submenu "Binarization"
9 is a menu for converting a multivalued image into a binary image.
The sub-menu “Tone conversion” is a menu for changing the balance such as brightness of an image.

Next, the contents of each submenu in the main menu "Filter" in FIG. 4D will be described.
The submenu “Add noise” is a menu for adding random noise to an image when moire or the like occurs in the image. The sub-menu “mosaic” is a menu for mosaicing and blurring a part of an image. The sub-menu “sharpening” is a menu for correcting an out-of-focus image or the like. The sub-menu “blur” is a menu for blurring a part of an image.

After the operation in step S2, in step S3, the CPU 2 inputs initial image data to be processed. The initial image data may be input from the image scanner 12 or may be input from another device via the communication interface 14. The initial image data may be stored in an external storage device (optical disk 6 or magnetic disk 7) in advance. The input initial image data is stored in the initial image area A0 of the version management table shown in FIG. This version management table is provided, for example, in the magnetic disk 7. In step S3, the CPU 2 further reads out the initial image data from the initial image area A0 of the version management table, and
(See FIG. 3).

Next, in step S4, the CPU 2
Determines whether interrupt data has occurred. The interrupt data is generated when the operator moves the mouse 5 or clicks the mouse 5. More specifically, during the operation of moving the mouse 5, coordinate data of the mouse 5 is generated as interrupt data at a certain timing synchronized with the operation clock of the CPU 2. When the mouse 5 is clicked, a click signal is generated as interrupt data. Next, in step S5, the CPU 2 stores the interrupt data generated at that time in the RAM 3, and analyzes the contents of the interrupt data. Next, in step S6, the CPU 2 performs the following based on the analysis result in step S5.
It is determined whether or not the cause of the interruption data is a movement operation of the mouse 5. If the cause of the interruption data is a movement operation of the mouse 5, in step S 7, the CPU
2 moves the cursor on the screen of the monitor device 10. Thereafter, the CPU 2 returns to the operation of Step S4.

When the cursor is moved to a predetermined menu display position on the screen of the monitor device 10 by repeating the operations of steps S4 to S7, the teacher operator moves the mouse 5 a predetermined number of times to select a menu (this embodiment). Click twice in the example). As described above, when the mouse 5 is clicked, interrupt data is generated. Therefore, CP
U2 performs the operations of steps S4 to S6. At this time, since the cause of the interruption data is a click operation of the mouse 5, the CPU 2 does not move the cursor, and determines in step S8 whether or not an instruction to write a file has been issued. If the writing of the file has not been instructed, in step S9, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the end of the processing has been instructed. If the end of the process has not been instructed, another menu has been selected, and a process corresponding to the other menu is performed in step S10. Thereafter, the CPU 2 returns to the operation of Step S4.

When the operation of the mouse 5 advances to a predetermined interval, the teacher operator operates the mouse 5 or the keyboard 4 to instruct the CPU 2 to write a file. In response to this instruction, the CPU 2 stores the interrupt data and the processed image data in the version management table of FIG. 5 (Step S11). As shown in FIG. 5, the interrupt data is coordinate data (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) to (X _N , Y _N ) of the mouse 5 generated until the writing of the file is instructed.
And click data indicating that the mouse 5 has been clicked. The processed image data is data of the image displayed on the monitor device 10 at the time when the writing of the file is instructed (that is, the image processed to correspond to the operation of the teacher operator up to that point). , A file name, the number of pixels in the X direction (horizontal direction), the number of pixels in the Y direction (vertical direction), the number of colors, and the like, and a data section for storing image data. When writing a file is instructed for the first time, the interrupt data and the processed image data are stored in the first version area A1 of the version management table.

Thereafter, the teacher operator instructs to write a file each time the operation of the mouse 5 advances to a predetermined break. As a result, the interrupt data and the processed image data of each version are stored in the corresponding version area of the version management table. Therefore, the interrupt data and the processed image data stored in each version area become data for tracing the procedure of the operation performed by the teacher operator and the change of the image displayed on the monitor device 10. Each data stored in the version management table is used later as learning data for the student operator.

When the processing on the initial image is completed, the teacher operator operates the mouse 5 or the keyboard 4 to instruct the CPU 2 to end the processing. In response to this end instruction, the CPU 2 displays a message on the monitor device 10 inquiring whether or not the last data needs to be saved (step S12). In response to this message, the teacher operator determines whether or not to write the file, and if writing of the file is necessary, performs an operation to instruct the writing of the file. Next, step S1
In 3, the CPU 2 determines whether or not writing of a file has been instructed. When the writing of the file is instructed, in step S14, the CPU 2 stores the interrupt data and the processed image data at that time as the data of the last version in the version management table.

Next, in step S15, the CPU 2
Determines whether there is another initial image to be processed. If there are other initial images to process, the CPU
2 returns to the operation of step S2, and repeats the operations of steps S2 to S14 again. As a result, a version management table as shown in FIG. 5 is created for other initial images. At this time, the teacher operator performs different processing on each of the input initial images. As a result, a plurality of types of learning data for performing different processing can be obtained. On the other hand, if there is no other initial image to be processed, the operation of the teacher program ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of operations executed by the printing / plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the above-mentioned student program. Hereinafter, the operation when the student program is executed will be described with reference to FIG. First, the student operator performs an operation for starting a student program. In response to this start-up operation, the CP
U2 reads the student program from the magnetic disk 7 and loads it into the RAM 3 in step S101. Next, in step S102, the CPU 2 causes the monitor device 10 to display a sample screen as shown in FIG. On this sample screen, a plurality of images processed in advance by the teacher operator are displayed as representative samples 121 to 126. More specifically, the CPU 2 reads out image data from the last version area of each version management table stored on the magnetic disk 7 and causes the monitor device 10 to display the image data.

As described above, each of the representative samples 121 to 126 displayed on the monitor device 10 is subjected to different processing, and the type of the processing is also displayed. The student operator has a plurality of representative samples 12
A representative sample subjected to a process of interest to the user, that is, a representative sample subjected to a process desired to learn the operation is selected from 1-126, and the selection result is stored in the CPU 2.
To instruct. This instruction is performed by operating the keyboard 4 or the mouse 5 by the student operator. CP
In step S103, U2 inputs an instruction from the student operator and selects a version management table storing learning data of the indicated representative sample from a plurality of version management tables stored in the magnetic disk 7. I do.

Next, in step S104, the CPU
2 causes the monitor device 10 to display a main menu screen as shown in FIG. This main menu screen is shown in FIG.
2 includes a work area 101 and a menu area 102 displayed in a so-called window manner. In the work area 101, an initial image corresponding to the representative sample selected by the student operator is displayed. That is, the CPU 2 determines in step S1
Initial image data is read from the initial image area A0 (see FIG. 5) of the version management table selected in 03, and is displayed in the work area 101. Menu area 1
02 displays various main menus such as "file", "retouch", "image processing", and "filter".

Further, the main menu screen of FIG. 8 includes a progress control menu area 103. The progress control menu area 103 includes various progress control menus for controlling the progress of the reproduction operation by the student program.
That is, “Next Step”, “Repeat”, “Fast Forward”,
“End” is displayed. The “next step” is the CP
6 is a progress control menu for causing U2 to execute the next version of the reproduction operation. "Repeat" means the CPU
2 is a progress control menu for causing the reproduction operation of the same version to be repeatedly executed by the user. "Fast forward" is C
It is a progress control menu for causing the PU2 to execute the reproduction operation by fast-forwarding. “End” is a progress control menu for causing the CPU 2 to perform a forced end process.

Next, the operation when the student operator selects "next step" in the progress control menu will be described.
The selection of the “next step” is performed by moving the mouse 5 to move the cursor on the monitor device 10 to the menu display position of the “next step”, and clicking the mouse 5 in that state. Therefore, CPU2
Indicates that the mouse 5 has been clicked on in step S105.
The position information of the mouse (and therefore the cursor) at the time when the mouse 5 is clicked is determined in step S1.
06.

Next, the CPU 2 determines in step S107 that "next step" in the progress control menu has been selected. Next, in step S108, C
The PU2 determines whether the learning data (that is, the interrupt data and the processed image data) exists in the next version area (firstly, the first version area A1) in the corresponding version management table. If the learning data exists in the next version area, in step S109, the CPU 2 reads the interrupt data from the next version area, and based on the interrupt data, performs the operation performed by the teacher operator and the result of the operation. An image is reproduced on the monitor device 10.

The operation of step S109 will be described in more detail below. For example, it is assumed that the reproduction operation was previously performed on the learning data of the (i-1) -th version area A (i-1). When “next step” is selected in this state, the CPU 2 designates the i-th version area Ai as the version area to be subjected to the next reproduction operation. Then, the CPU 2 reads the coordinate data (X ₀ ,
Y ₀ ) to (X _N , Y _N ) and the click information of the mouse are sequentially read. Therefore, the cursor is sequentially displayed on the monitor device 10 at a position corresponding to the coordinate data (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) to (X _N , Y _N ) and the mouse click information, and the menu is executed. That is, the cursor is moved and displayed as the teacher operator moves the mouse 5, and the menu is executed. The monitor device 10 displays the processed image generated as a result of the operation of the teacher operator.

After the operation of step S109, the CPU 2 returns to the operation of step S105. Thereafter, each time “next step” is selected in the progress control menu, the operations of steps S105 to S109 are repeated. In step S109, the CPU 2 moves the coordinate data (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) to (X _N ,
Y _N ), a predetermined time lag (e.g., 0.5
Seconds). Thereby, the monitor device 10
It is possible to prevent the student operator from checking the operation procedure because the reproduction speed is too fast.

Next, the operation when the student operator selects "Repeat" in the progress control menu will be described. The selection of “repeat” is performed by moving the mouse 5 to move the cursor on the monitor device 10 to the menu display position of “repeat”, and clicking the mouse 5 in that state. Therefore, after the operations of steps S105 to S107, the CPU 2 proceeds to step S11.
At 0, it is determined that "Repeat" in the progress control menu has been selected.

Then, in step S111, the CP
U2 reads the interruption data from the current version area in the corresponding version management table, and reproduces the operation performed by the teacher operator and the image generated as a result on the monitor device 10 based on the interruption data. For example, assuming that the last time the reproduction operation was performed on the interrupt data in the i-th version area Ai, the CPU 2
The ith version area Ai is designated again as the current version area, and the designated ith version area A
The interrupt data is read out from i, and the above-described reproducing operation is performed.
Thereafter, the CPU 2 returns to the operation in step S105.

Next, the operation when the student operator selects "fast forward" in the progress control menu will be described. The selection of “fast-forward” is performed by moving the mouse 5 to move the cursor on the monitor device 10 to the “fast-forward” menu display position, and clicking the mouse 5 in that state. Therefore, after the operations of steps S105 to S107 and S110, the CPU 2 executes step S105.
At 112, it is determined that "fast forward" in the progress control menu has been selected.

Then, in step S113, the CP
U2 jumps over a predetermined number of version areas, and designates a version area ahead by a predetermined number as a version area to be subjected to the next reproduction operation. For example, assuming that the number of jumps in the version area is set to 3 and the previous reproduction operation was performed on the learning data in the i-th version area Ai, the CPU 2 sets the next reproduction area as the target version area. , (I +
4) Designate version area A (i + 4). Thereafter, the processed image data of the (i + 4) th version area A (i + 4) is read out and displayed on the monitor device 10.
As a result, the process of reading and reproducing the interrupt data is omitted, and the display can be speeded up. Note that the number of version areas over which the CPU 2 jumps in step S113 may be fixedly set or may be variable.

Next, the operation when the student operator selects "end" in the progress control menu will be described. The selection of “end” is performed by moving the mouse 5 to move the cursor on the monitor device 10 to the display position of “end”.
The operation is performed by clicking the mouse 5 in this state. Therefore, the CPU 2 determines in steps S105 to S105.
After the operations of S107, S110, and S112, step S
At 114, it is determined that "end" in the progress control menu has been selected. Then, in step S115, the CPU 2 executes forced termination processing of the student program. Note that the forced termination processing in step S115 includes:
This is also performed when it is determined in step S108 that the learning data does not exist in the next version area.

When the CPU 2 determines that none of the "next step", "repeat", "fast forward" and "end" progress control menus have been selected even though the mouse 5 was clicked. , The mouse 5 is clicked at an incorrect position. That is, in this case, the CPU 2 returns to the operation of step S105 after the operation of step S114.

FIGS. 9A to 9F are diagrams showing an example of how the operation sequence of the teacher operator and the processed image are reproduced on the monitor device 10 according to the student program. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9F, a description will be given of an example of reproduction of a process in a case where, for example, a process of adding a shadow to an initial image of a clock is performed.

First, the cursor is moved to the display position of "file" and the main menu "file" is selected by clicking the mouse (J1 in FIG. 9A). continue,
A pull-down menu corresponding to “file” is opened, the cursor is moved to a display position of “open”, and a submenu “open” is selected by a mouse click (J2 in FIG. 9A). Next, the file list opens,
The required file name is selected from this file list (J3 in FIG. 9A). In response, work area 1
An initial image indicating a clock is displayed at 01 (J4 in FIG. 9A).

Next, the cursor is moved to the display position of "retouch", and the main menu "retouch" is selected by clicking the mouse (J5 in FIG. 9B). continue,
A pull-down menu corresponding to “retouch” is opened, the cursor moves to the display position of “brush”, and the submenu “brush” is selected by mouse click (J6 in FIG. 9B). Next, a color selection list and a line thickness selection list are opened. Then, the cursor is moved to the display position of "black", and black is selected from the color selection list by clicking the mouse (J7 in FIG. 9B). Next, move the cursor to “5m
m ", and 5 mm is selected from the line thickness selection list by clicking the mouse (FIG. 9B).
J8). Next, a character indicating a brush is displayed in the work area 101 (J9 in FIG. 9B).

Next, the brush moves along the periphery of the clock image, and the clock image is shaded accordingly (FIG. 9).
(C) J10). Next, the cursor moves to the display position of "file", and the main menu "file" is selected by clicking the mouse (not shown). continue,
The pull-down menu corresponding to "File" opens, the cursor moves to the display position of "Save", and the submenu "Save" is selected by clicking the mouse (FIG. 9).
(D) J11). Next, the cursor is moved to the display position of "close", and the submenu "close" is selected by clicking the mouse (J12 in FIG. 9E). Next, the processed image disappears from the work area 101 and returns to the initial screen (see FIG. 9F).

In step S102 of FIG. 6, the representative samples 121 to 126 are displayed together with the respective processing types as shown in FIG. 7, but before step S102, a plurality of different processing types are displayed. Is displayed, and a representative sample corresponding to the processing selected and designated there is displayed in step S
It may be displayed at 102.

In the above-described embodiment, a preset number of version areas are skipped in order to quickly advance the reproducing operation (step S113 in FIG. 6). However, in step S109 of FIG.
2 is the coordinate data (X ₀ , Y ₀ ) to (X _N ,
Y _N ), the reproduction operation can be fast-forwarded by shortening the interval at which the mouse click information and the processed image data are read. In this case, all the learning data is reproduced at high speed.

Although the above-described embodiment is configured as a printing and plate making processing system, the present invention is not limited to this.
It can be widely applied to computer graphic devices and architectural design drawing creation devices.

[0051]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the actual processing procedure for obtaining the selected representative sample is reproduced from the beginning to the end on the monitor device. You can know. Therefore, the operator can learn the contents of various functions provided in the image processing program and the operation method thereof in a short time without reading a manual.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in response to the operation of the operator, the progress state control means controls the progress state of the reproduction operation of the reproduction means at each predetermined interval. Further, it is possible to obtain an image processing support device that facilitates learning. For example, a part that the user wants to know in detail can be reproduced repeatedly, and a part that is not so can be reproduced by fast-forwarding.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a learning data creating means for creating learning data in advance and storing the learning data in the learning data storage means. All processes can be performed. Therefore, the price of the system is lower than when the learning data is created by another device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing and plate making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention having an image processing support function.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of operations executed by the printing and plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to a teacher program.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main menu screen displayed on a monitor device during execution of a teacher program.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a submenu list displayed in a pull-down manner for each main menu in the main menu screen shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing contents stored in a version management table stored in the magnetic disk shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of operations executed by the printing and plate making apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to a student program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a representative sample screen displayed on the monitor device during execution of the student program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a main menu screen displayed on the monitor device during execution of the student program.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of a teacher operator and a change in a processed image reproduced on a monitor device during execution of a student program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: CPU 3: RAM 4: Keyboard 5: Mouse 6: Optical disk 7: Magnetic disk 10: Monitor device

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus which operates according to a predetermined image processing program and performs various processing on an image displayed on a monitor device, which assists an operator in learning. Learning data storage means for storing learning data for tracing an operation procedure of an operator for realizing each processing and a state in which an image changes on a monitor device, for each of the plurality of types of processed representative samples; Sample selecting means for selecting an arbitrary representative sample from a plurality of representative samples; and learning data corresponding to the representative sample selected by the sample selecting means are read out from the learning data storage means, and operated by an operator on a monitor device. An image processing support apparatus including a reproducing unit that reproduces a procedure and a state in which an image changes. 2. The reproduction means according to claim 1, wherein said reproduction means is configured to interrupt the reproduction operation at predetermined intervals, and in response to an operation of an operator, a progress state of the reproduction operation at predetermined intervals of said reproduction means. The image processing support device according to claim 1, further comprising a progress state control unit that controls the image processing. 3. The image processing support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a learning data creating unit that creates the learning data in advance and stores the learning data in the learning data storage unit.